Israel’s natural gas revolution

In recent history Israel has discovered vast resources of natural gas in its economic waters.  Israel’s natural gas revolution began in 2013 with production and use of natural gas from the Tamar reservoir [1]. Israel’s Leviathan reservoir alone is one of the world’s largest offshore gas reservoirs [2]. The intent of this technical article is to expound on the providential happenings with natural gas in Israel, which demonstrates God’s existence and faithfulness.  Around the world there is increasing attention to the finitude of geological resources, especially regarding fuels. Natural gas is distinguished from crude oil, though they often naturally occur in the same reservoirs [3]. Natural gas is gaseous at underground pressures and is lighter than oil.  Gas and oil are separated either by pressure relief at the wellhead with separation by gravity in a conventional closed tank, or by gas-oil separator [3]. Crude oil is the unprocessed form of gasoline; in contrast, natural gas is used as fuel for generating electricity and for heavy industry. 

Implied Biblically

Israel’s recently discovered natural gas resources were implied in the book of Deuteronomy. When Moses blessed the tribes of Israel in Deuteronomy 33, about Asher he said: “Asher is most blessed of sons…may he dip his foot in oil.” While some translations have “olive oil”, the word is properly translated as oil (unspecified), which can also refer to modern-day hydrocarbons, and while anointing oil was applied on the head, the reference here is to the foot. The region of the tribe of Asher, as described in Joshua 19:24-31, is in the north along the Mediterranean Sea, exactly where the gas fields are located offshore of Haifa. Nearly all of Israel’s electricity is generated from this natural gas, and Israel has started exporting it at high value. Haifa is the foot of Asher (Deuteronomy 33:24); geographically, Haifa is at a peninsula jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea which on the map remarkably looks like a foot relative to the region of the tribe of Asher.

Energy Independence

As of 2023, natural gas provided 70% of Israel’s power, and renewable energy (mainly solar) about 15% [4]. Israel has been phasing out coal-based electricity [5]. The remaining coal-fired units are at the Orot Rabin power plant where the construction of two new combined cycle gas turbines had been delayed by war, and at the Rutenberg power plant where the last coal-fired units there are in the process of being converted to use natural gas [5]. Because of its natural gas, Israel has significantly lower electricity prices [6]. Israel has 1,083 bcm (billion cubic meters) of natural gas reserves [6], and there is potential for an undiscovered 2,100 bcm more in Israel’s economic waters [1]. Israel has three separate independent offshore production sites and delivery pipelines, all of which consist of modern equipment and infrastructure [1], and electricity is generated from natural gas by combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT) which are highly efficient technology [7].

Other Uses

Besides public electricity, there are some heavy industries in Israel that have their own dedicated natural gas power plants, such as Israel Chemicals Ltd. [8], which produces commodities such as potash (potassium fertilizer) from minerals extracted from the Dead Sea [9], Nasher Israel Cement Industries Ltd. plant in Ramla [10], and Haifa Group production facilities in Mishor Rotem [11]. Natural gas is also used directly to produce ammonia for nitrogenous fertilizer [12]. Haifa Group’s new state-of-the-art ammonia production plant in Mishor Rotem, scheduled to be completed this year, will use natural gas from the Leviathan reservoir [12]. The new production plant features high efficiency technology and is meant to supply the ammonia needs for the entire industry in Israel [13]. Considering the implications of Israel’s natural gas revolution, providence in the richness of modern-day Israel is irrefutable.  It is articles like this one that can describe how Israel has become prosperous in fulfillment of prophecy.  

References

[1] Rosen, Y. 2023. Natural gas has delivered for Israel.  Global Voice of Gas 3(3): 40-43.

[2] Wrobel, S. 2025, August 7. In Israel’s largest gas deal, Leviathan partners ink $35 billion export deal with Egypt. The Times of Israel.

[3] Natural Gas Processing: The Crucial Link between Natural Gas Production and Its Transportation to Market. 2006. Energy Information Administration,  Office of Oil and Gas. 

[4] Eitan, A. 2025. Negotiating the energy transition: Governance trade-offs in solar deployment. Energy Strategy Reviews 61: 101854.

[5] Israel Electric Corp. 2024, September. Investor Presentation.

[6] BDO Consulting. Energy Security in Israel in 2024. Israel Natural Gas Trade Association.

[7] Israel Electric Corp. 2023. Environmental Report.

[8] Israel Chemicals Ltd. (ICL). 2018. Launch of ICL’s New Power Plant in Sodom.  

[9] Szczesniak, P. A. The Mineral Industry of Israel. In: USGS 2019 Minerals Yearbook. U.S. Geological Survey.  

[10] Omer, I. 2012. Tamar partners sign $680m gas contract with Mashav. Globes.

[11] Haifa Group. 2024. Corporate Responsibility ESG Report 2022-2023.

[12] Pellegrino, J. L. 2000. Energy and Environmental Profile of the Chemicals Industry.

[13] Haifa Group. 2024. Haifa Group and Leviathan Partners Sign Long-Term Natural Gas Supply Agreement.